China Plans 1,000-Satellite Network to Watch Over Central Asia

China is planning to deploy a constellation of over 1,000 remote-sensing satellites to observe Central Asia, according to China’s official news outlets Xinhua and The People’s Daily.

The first batch of five satellites of the Tianwu Constellation is expected to be launched into orbit by the end of 2026.

The project is presented as a combined initiative with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, with a declared purpose of monitoring environmental developments and reducing the potential harm caused by natural disasters and climate change.…